[StockHorseGirl]

Hi guys, my first show of the year is June 14 and I want to do a showmanship class with my mare.

Can someone please explain the quarter system for me? I think I understand it but I'm not 100% sure.

The horse I'm showing is an Arabian. When trotting, should I show her at her powerful, energetic trot or her slower, more jog like trot? Also, when I go to stand her up should I make her stretch her neck? Can I carry a whip and give her a tap with it?

I will be in my hunter gear. Should I wear my show helmet like a western handler wears their cowboy hat?

Thanks.

[paintlver]

I have no idea how to show an Arab so can't help you..But if you wear your hunter attire wear your helmet..It looks finished and offers protection as well..

[shyxpony]

Alrighty. I'll start off by explaining the quartering system.

So picture your horse from the top. Imagine two lines drawn across her, dividing her into four 'quarters' (hence 'quarter'ing system). One of the lines will be across her withers, dividing her front & back in half, and the other line will be right down the middle of her back. Here (ignore all the other numbers and stuff):
(click to enlarge)

So you always want to be in the quarter next to the judge, but not the same one as the judge. So if you're standing on the near-side of your horse (the side you usually lead from) and the judge walks into your quarter, you'll want to move to the other side of your horse. Then, as the judge passes your horse's withers into the next quarter, you'll want to move back to the side you started on so you're in the quarter next to the judge again. When the judge passes your horse's tail, switch again. And then switch one more time when the judge passes your horses withers (for the second time). When the judge is directly in front of you, you'll want to be on the near-side of your horse. Basically, with the quartering system, you're trying to give the judge as clear a view as possible of your horse.

Your trot should probably be somewhere in the middle. You don't want to be zipping around, but you don't want to be shuffling to the judge either. You can stretch out her neck if you like. I'm not sure what kind of show you're going to, but if it's a pretty low-level show it shouldn't really matter all the much. As for carrying a whip, most of the shows I've been to, people don't carry whips in showmanship. But if you're going to an Arab show they might allow it. I don't show an Arab so I'm not totally sure on that one. And yes, you should wear your helmet.

I could probably help you more if you told me what kind of show you'll be going to and whether it's a lower-level show or an arab show or what.

[StockHorseGirl]

Originally Posted by shyxpony

Alrighty. I'll start off by explaining the quartering system.

So picture your horse from the top. Imagine two lines drawn across her, dividing her into four 'quarters' (hence 'quarter'ing system). One of the lines will be across her withers, dividing her front & back in half, and the other line will be right down the middle of her back. Here (ignore all the other numbers and stuff):
(click to enlarge)

So you always want to be in the quarter next to the judge, but not the same one as the judge. So if you're standing on the near-side of your horse (the side you usually lead from) and the judge walks into your quarter, you'll want to move to the other side of your horse. Then, as the judge passes your horse's withers into the next quarter, you'll want to move back to the side you started on so you're in the quarter next to the judge again. When the judge passes your horse's tail, switch again. And then switch one more time when the judge passes your horses withers (for the second time). When the judge is directly in front of you, you'll want to be on the near-side of your horse. Basically, with the quartering system, you're trying to give the judge as clear a view as possible of your horse.

Your trot should probably be somewhere in the middle. You don't want to be zipping around, but you don't want to be shuffling to the judge either. You can stretch out her neck if you like. I'm not sure what kind of show you're going to, but if it's a pretty low-level show it shouldn't really matter all the much. As for carrying a whip, most of the shows I've been to, people don't carry whips in showmanship. But if you're going to an Arab show they might allow it. I don't show an Arab so I'm not totally sure on that one. And yes, you should wear your helmet.

I could probably help you more if you told me what kind of show you'll be going to and whether it's a lower-level show or an arab show or what.

Thank you. It will be a local Arabian show, but the judge is a national level judge so I want to look professional.

[shyxpony]

Originally Posted by StockHorseGirl

Thank you. It will be a local Arabian show, but the judge is a national level judge so I want to look professional.

No prob Well I can't really help you that much because I've never shown an arab, so hopefully someone else who shows arabs can post something to help you on some of the other things. But the quartering system should be the same for all shows.

Good luck at your show!

[Rumonek]

Usually you use a whip for halter, not showmanship... You should make sure her head is up, ears are forward, and her trot should be relatively quick. I always jog next to my horse at a trot. The horse should look bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Yes, stretch her neck, this is where you use a whip if she is a halter-trained arab. The whip is used to get her attention and as a "target" for her to stretch her neck towards.